Purdue football: Four downs

Looking back, looking ahead at four topics related to Saturday's 51-41 win over Marshall and this week's Big Ten opener against Michigan.

FIRST DOWN

Here's the good news. The Boilermakers probably won't see a better passing game during the upcoming eight-game Big Ten schedule.

Now, the bad news. Purdue will face much better defenses in the Big Ten than what it saw from Marshall.

Which makes the path to Indianapolis a curious one for coach Danny Hope's team. Can it rely on the defense to score every game?

Purdue's offense continues to look good one minute, but out of sync the next. That doesn't make the Boilermakers unique in this year's conference chase, but too many of those lapses might prove costly.

SECOND DOWN

We're seeing Purdue's kicking game endure growing pains.

The second blocked punt of the season Saturday led to a touchdown. Another extra point was blocked. The Boilermakers have missed four extra points, including two that were blocked. Purdue missed a combined five PATs from 2008 to 2011.

Already, two of Saturday's five Big Ten games were decided by a combined four points. Expect more close games as the conference season unfolds.

THIRD DOWN

What was going through Denard Robinson's mind as he watched Ricardo Allen and Josh Johnson return interceptions for touchdowns during his bye week?

Purdue has three interception returns for scores, the most in the Big Ten. It ranks second nationally behind Fresno State's four.

Robinson has thrown a pick or two, or 38, in his career. One was to Allen, who returned it for a score in 2010. Here's betting Robinson is aware of where No. 21 is positioned this weekend.

FOURTH DOWN

Purdue didn't catch a break with its home schedule.

The opener was played over Labor Day weekend and the home finale against Indiana happens during Thanksgiving weekend.

It's fall break when Michigan visits Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday. How many students will stick around?

Now that the Boilermakers are 3-1, they need a home crowd advantage. The schedule makers, though, didn't do Hope's program any favors.

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Purdue football: Four downs

Looking back, looking ahead at four topics related to Saturday's 51-41 win over Marshall and this week's Big Ten opener against Michigan. Here's the good news.